FOLLOWING its seventh-consecutive Malaysia Super League win, Johor Darul Ta'zim FC's (JDT) participation in the 2021 AFC Champions League for a third consecutive year would have been a straightforward progression but we aren't in customary times.
The Covid-19 pandemic has brought about plenty of changes, including tournament formats and travel restrictions, such as the one imposed by the Malaysian government, which has resulted in JDT’s withdrawal from the centralised 2020 edition in Doha.
As such, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) now have a decision to make. Since there was already a force precedent for a similar case set with Al Wahda of United Arab Emirates, the governing body gave JDT the green light to participate in the Champions League on Monday.
This decision was in the best interest of JDT ─ and Malaysia to a larger extent ─ because which other multiple record-holder could best represent the nation in Asia's most elite football club competition?
On and off the Malaysian pitch, the Southern Tigers have taken the lead.
Thus far, JDT has stunned both Korean (Suwon Bluewings) and Japanese (Kashima Antlers) teams in the competition, garnering the nation valuable ranking points and a better standing in Asia that will lead to more Malaysian teams participating in club competitions.
Malaysia will also move up the ladder if Kedah and Terengganu perform well in the second-tier AFC Cup, a competition that JDT has contributed plenty of ranking points to ─ between 2015 to 2018 ─ before making the Champions League grade.
Technical reasons aside, JDT is Malaysia's best bet at making a good impression to visiting teams; the availability of state-of-the-art facilities, arguably, has made Johor the new football jewel of Asia.
Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the 2021 group stage will take place at a centralised venue, whereby AFC could either determine a single location for all the groups or separate locations for the five East Asian groups.
This means that Malaysia could play host to the tournament ─ as was initially decided for the 2020 edition ─ and welcoming visiting teams from all over Asia will mean more coverage and added brand power for the nation.
For now, let's hope the Malaysian government doesn't throw a spanner in the works for the 2021 Champions League edition due to the pandemic because football (and sports) needs to move on. Like many other industries, it is a multimillion-ringgit industry that contributes to the economy in more ways than one.
JDT were placed in Group G, alongside Chinese Super League winners Jiangsu FC, J-League's third-place Nagoya Grampus and the winner of the playoff between Korean side, Pohang Steelers, and Thailand's Ratchaburi Mitr Phol in the Champions League draw yesterday. ─ The Vibes, 28 January, 2021
Former journalist Vijhay is Head of Content at Johor Darul Ta'zim FC following stints with Malay Mail, Sports247.my, FourFourTwo Malaysia and FOX Malaysia. You may have also heard him on BFM Football or watched him on Media Prima's football programmes. Vijhay can be reached at @vijhayvick on Twitter.
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